Blog: Womenfolk

The Damn Millionaires is a quartet of friends whose brand of exquisite Country/Folk is like magic for the ears. Consisting of Vince Chao, Jesse Grinter, Chris Huff and vocalist Allison Lowe Huff, the group has sustained through many years of various real-world experiences, much of which kept them scattered throughout the country. But wherever they were, their songwriting never waned, nor did their friendship. The worthwhile result is their debut album, Be Sure Your Sins Will Find You Out , released during the latter part of 2005. Womenfolk is [...]

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In a land where the blues reign, where California is both home and a place far, far away, and where pretty much all emotions reflect off the surface of the radiant moon before hitting paper, resides Jolie Holland . Raised in Houston, and somewhat of a gypsy traveler from Austin to New Orleans to Vancouver, BC to San Francisco, this woman's music possesses that elusive authentic quality that demands notice. The success of her first solo album, Catalpa , earned her a spot on Anti- Records' roster, home to such [...]

For the last week, I've been listening to the music of Birdie Busch , a Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter whose songs have had a surprising effect on me. Warm and comforting, her music exudes a casualness that will easily put its willing listener at ease with little effort. Scheduled for released on February 21, 2006, Emily 'Birdie' Busch's debut album, The Way We Try is a remarkably simple collection of songs that provide sweet, honest glimpses into relationships, emotions and every day observations on [...]

For this month's 'This Woman's Work,' I've decided to feature two very talented women. Emily White is a Chicago-based singer-songwriter whose honest songwriting has earned her comparisons to artists including Jonatha Brooke and Lisa Loeb among others and has allowed her to perform across the nation. Her debut EP, Every Pulse , released last year, showcases White's remarkable talents as a raw, soul-bearing musician whose songs echo of the honesty and roots of Ani DiFranco 's earlier work. * [...]

Julia Darling 's career as a musician started in her late teens when she bought herself a guitar and taught herself how to play. Shortly thereafter, the New Zealand native began playing on the streets of Melbourne, Australia and as fate would have it, was discovered by a record executive. Some time later, the twenty-two year-old Darling found herself in New York with producer Tony Berg and a line-up of musicians including T-Bone Burnett and Jon Brion and recorded the songs that could comprise her debut album. [...]

Gabi is a twenty-something Brazilian musician whose love of music compelled her one day to sit in her house and record ten amazing cover songs using an acoustic guitar and an array of noise-makers. The result is a striking collection of music that any independent music label would salivate over. Featured here is Modest Mouse 's '3rd Planet,' a song that originally recorded on their 2000 album, The Moon & Antarctica and one that Gabi helms beautifully. She begins Loneliness Keeps Company with her version, plucking strings alongside [...]

As another year draws to a close, Womenfolk would like to thank everyone who has visited the site. While I hope I've introduced you to many artists and songs, I can definitely say without question, that my readers have allowed me to discover new music as well. Here's to new discoveries... as we prepare for 2006! Womenfolk will return in January. But until then, here's wishing you and yours the most special of holidays. Downloads : Classic - [...]

Kim Kline seems to have the entire package going for her: a great voice, a pretty face, solid songs and an unwavering ambition. On the strength of some early songs she wrote last year, the Texas native was signed promptly by Davis, Shapiro, Lewit, Montone And Hayes, a music/entertainment law firm, and has been regularly performing in the Los Angeles area introducing her music to the masses. Kline's music is surely destined for radio; smart pop-infused rock songs like 'Inside' and 'Time' show a natural understanding of what makes good music. A full-length [...]

Texas native Trish Murphy has been writing heartfelt, lyrically rich songs for nearly a decade. Her interest in music arrived early in her life. Her father was also a musician and much of Murphy's childhood was spent singing back-up for him along with her two siblings. But it wasn't until the early 90's, after receiving her BA in Philosophy that Murphy decided to pursue music full-time. And together with her younger brother, Darin, the two formed a musical duo and performed in and around Houston. After a move to [...]

Britta Persson was a discovery prompted by a Womenfolk reader some time ago. And while I quickly became familiar with her music, it's taken me awhile to properly feature her here on the site. That is, until now. I don't know much about Persson's background, however. Everything I've been able to research online provides either little about her life or is written in Swedish. So instead, I'll let most of her music do the explaining, which is what I'm hoping you, the reader, will do as well. What I do know is that [...]

Somewhere in-between Sarah McLachlan 's smooth pop and Beth Orton 's penchant for the experimental lies the sounds of Beth Hirsch . However, unlike McLachlan and Orton, Hirsch has yet to find her wide audience as a solo artist, having been much more commercially successful on her collaborations with other artists. Hirsch was 'discovered' in the late 90's while living in Paris. She had released her debut EP, Minor's Son in 1997 and it had earned her notice from Jean Benoit Dunkel and Nicolas Godin of [...]

Young, talented and full of ambition, singer-songwriter Jessi Lynn is determined to have her music heard. And based on the three albums she's released in just five years, this girl is surely on a path of getting the attention she deserves. With a sound that is a little bit country, a little rock and a bit of folk, Lynn's songs range from the instantly infectious "Someday Soon" to soothing ballads like "Just Me & My Guitar." You Ain't Seen Nothin' Like This marks Lynn's latest offering and quite possibly, [...]

Former Throwing Muses frontwoman Kristin Hersh recorded Cat Stevens' "Trouble" for her fourth official solo album, Sunny Border Blue in 2001. The result was a song complimentary of the original, but with Hersh's unmistakable voice and musical trademark. The track was later released on the soundtrack for the popular show Everwood . While I'm not a big fan of shows like Rock Star: INXS , I did happen upon [...]

Sweden seems to boast some of the most impressive musical talent, and yet sadly, the general American public seems to know so little of what is out there. Let’s face it, ABBA can only take you so far. But here are two artists from Sweden who I feel need to ...

Elisa Korenne is a New York-based singer-songwriter whose smooth voice and infectious songs seem to walk the line between folk, rock and dashes of country - yet she blends them so seamlessly that true defining is made near impossible. On Favorite, Korenne’s debut album, she showcases her knack for writing great ...

Several years ago, I received an e-mail from Nashville-based singer-songwriter Jolynn Daniel asking me if I would be willing to listen to her debut EP, Suspended. And being that I’ve never been one to turn away a chance to hear something new, I graciously accepted. Days later, Daniel’s EP arrived and ...

The music of Rachel Ries (rhymes with ‘peace’) possesses what some refer to as a ‘vintage-sounding folk’. While this is hardly a definitive description, perhaps it is one that fits best. Classically trained in violin, viola, voice, and piano (and self-taught on guitar), Ries uses her pleasingly sweet voice, poetic ...

A superstar in her native, The Netherlands, Anouk teamed up with K’s Choice vocalist Sarah Bettens, for their awesome rendition of Live’s ‘I Alone.’ Performed acoustically, the duo’s voices compliment each other extremely well and prove that loud guitars aren’t needed for a song to make its impact. Although recorded ...

Brianna Lane is a songwriter in the truest form. With her acoustic guitar by her side and her hushed, cozy voice, she creates incredible stories and infectious melodies. On Radiator, Lane’s second full-length album, she’s rocketing toward making a name for herself. Her music is decidedly folk, but consistently holds hands ...